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28. - 31.5. 2026
Film Festival in Bad Hofgastein - A place for new perspectives
28. - 31.5. 2026
CALL Film Festival in Bad Hofgastein
The CALL Film Festival is an international film festival that will take place for the first time in Bad Hofgastein (Salzburg, Austria) from May 28 to 31, 2026, focusing on films with attitude that concentrate on two central program focal points and address social, ecological and human issues and encourage reflection.
The festival sees itself as a platform for meaningful cinema and brings together filmmakers, artists and personalities from all over the world to discuss current challenges of our time and open up new perspectives.
Festival focal points 2026
The CALL Film Festival has two strong focal points:
CALL for Peace.
- Peace with ourselves and others
- Dialogue, empathy and social cohesion
CALL for Nature.
- Responsibility for our planet
- Environment, sustainability and protection of natural resources
Movies with a cause & attitude
The CALL Film Festival focuses on films with a cause.
Works are shown that address social, personal or ecological issues and consciously take a stand . The focus is on content with relevance - not prestige. The films are thought-provoking, create awareness and promote exchange, empathy and a common understanding.
Everything at a glance
Program & Festival Highlights
The CALL Film Festival combines film, exchange and social issues into a diverse program with a clear attitude.
- Experience the world premiere live
Parov Stelar presents his new film to an audience for the first time.
- Reinhold Messner up close
Four days of retrospectives, personal insights and talks.
- Cinema in the open air
Open-air screenings in the Alpenarena - with free admission.
- International guests & big names
From movie stars to music legends on site.
- Q&A sessions and discussions with the audience
- Masterclasses with filmmakers
- Gala with presentation of the Jane Awards: from Kim Cattrall to the Scorpions
Further program items will be announced on an ongoing basis.
Highlights
Film retrospective and homage:
Reinhold Messner
The world's first cinematic retrospective on Reinhold Messner, tracing his extraordinary life between extreme experience, expedition and philosophical reflection.
- Eight selected films
- Film introductions & accompaniment by Messner himself on location
- Masterclass & Talks
Gala in the Kursaal Bad Hofgastein
The Jane Awards
The "Jane Awards" honor personalities who have had a lasting impact on film, culture and society and who stand for courage, attitude and change.
- Gala evening in the Kursaal Bad Hofgastein
- International stars & filmmakers on site, such as: Kim Cattrall and the Scorpions
World premiere
Parov Stelar presents "Artifact"
Parov Stelar celebrates the world premiere of his concept film "Artifact" at the CALL Film Festival and presents it in person.
- World premiere in Gastein
- Parov Stelar live on location
- Film based on his album
Program
Thursday, May 28
Program follows.
Friday, May 29
Program follows.
Saturday, May 30
Afternoon:
Talks with prominent festival guests & supporting program in the Alpenarena
21:00 hrs:
Film: "Michael" (open-air screening, free admission)
Biopic about Michael Jackson with a focus on his rise and his commitment to the environment & peace
23:00:
World premiere: "Artifact" by Parov Stelar
Presentation of the concept film (based on his album, with AI-generated visuals) - personally introduced by Parov Stelar
Sunday, May 31
Program follows.
International guests & movie stars
Many national and international personalities will be present at the CALL Film Festival in Bad Hofgastein.
Among them are:
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Parov Stelar, world star of electro swing - cinematic premiere
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Oliver Hirschbiegel (Oscar-nominated) - master class on the art of filmmaking
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Reinhold & Diane Messner - renowned mountaineer, adventurer and author / co-founder of the "Reinhold Messner Horizons" initiative
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Kim Cattrall - honored for her formative influence on strong female characters and can also be experienced in masterclasses and Q&A sessions
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Scorpions - legendary rock band honored for their cultural influence and fusion of music and film
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Other Hollywood stars (to be announced)
The focus is not only on the fame of the guests: the CALL Film Festival invites personalities who stand for something and show attitude.
Each of them will present a film that has shaped their own view of the world. As Cinema Ambassadors, they play an active role in shaping the program - and talk to the audience afterwards about the significance of their selection.
Reinhold & Diane Messner
Border crosser, mountaineer and alpinist | Co-founder of "Reinhold Messner Horizons"
Reinhold Messner is one of the most important mountaineers, adventurers and authors of our time and has shaped modern alpinism with his expeditions and works. Together with Diane Messner, he is committed to the preservation of nature and assumes social responsibility for mountain peoples worldwide.
Oliver Hirschbiegel
Director and Festival President
Oliver Hirschbiegel is an internationally successful director who achieved worldwide fame with films such as "Downfall" and also works for Hollywood productions and series . His works are characterized by psychological depth and socio-political themes.
As festival president of the CALL Film Festival, he takes on the role of curator and, as a leading figure in terms of content, shapes the direction and attitude of the festival.
Christina Zappella-Kindel and Elisabeth Sereda
Festival directors and founders of the CALL Film Festival
With the CALL Film Festival, Christina Zappella-Kindel and Elisabeth Sereda want to create an event that stands for quality, independence and a clear stance.
Christina Zappella-Kindel is a producer and event organizer, founder of the Women's World Awards, media platforms and a TV production company.
Elisabeth Sereda was a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for over 25 years and on the board of the Golden Globes. She works internationally with film festivals, has curated programs at the Sundance Festival, among others, and also works as an author and event producer.
Marcus Füreder aka Parov Stelar
World star of electro swing
Parov Stelar personally presents his first concept film"Artifact" - a visual realization of his album of the same name with AI-generated visual worlds. The film celebrates its world premiere at the CALL Film Festival.
Where the Alps become a canvas
Bad Hofgastein as a stage for the CALL Film Festival
In the middle of the Austrian Alps, the Gastein Valley offers one thing above all else in addition to the breathtaking natural scenery: space.
Far away from the noise and fast pace of the big cities, Gastein offers space for genuine exchange, profound conversations and a return to nature - the perfect setting for a festival that is all about reflection .
The valley has also been a place of inspiration for centuries . Nature, art and culture intertwine here - and have influenced personalities such as Gustav Klimt, Thomas Mann, Franz Schubert and Marlene Dietrich. Emperor Franz Josef I and Empress Sisi also appreciated the special atmosphere of the valley.
Today, Bad Hofgastein combines this cultural heritage with a modern alpine lifestyle - creating the ideal setting for new artistic impulses.
Tickets
Various ticket options are available for the CALL Film Festival:
- One-way tickets: from 10 € per film
- Festival passes: access to several screenings & program items
- Free film screenings in the Alpenarena (Friday & Saturday)
Tickets are available online from May 1, 2026, 18:00!
Event locations at a glance
The festival takes place in Bad Hofgastein at three central locations - each with its own atmosphere. From the modern congress center to the historic Kursaal and the impressive open-air stage of the Alpenarena, this creates a multifaceted festival experience.
Congress Center
The Congress Center forms the content center of the CALL Film Festival. Central film screenings, master classes and talks with international guests take place here. Thanks to modern technology and flexible room design, it is the most important place for exchange, discussion and encounters.
- Main location for screenings & panels
- Masterclasses & Q&A sessions
- barrier-free & accessible at ground level
Kursaal
The Kursaal is the prestigious festival stage for special program items. Gala events, premieres and the presentation of the Cinema Ambassador Awards are staged here in a historic atmosphere.
- Location of the Awards & Gala
- Selected premieres & special screenings
Alpenarena (Open Air)
Screening in the Alpenarena means open-air cinema - embedded in the impressive mountain landscape. Large open-air screenings take place here - including freely accessible film evenings.
- Open-air cinema & public events
- Big screen
- depending on the weather
Top offers for the Call Film Festival
Top offers and packages
Felsentherme Hit
- from 2 nights on
- 2 x all-day tickets to the Felsentherme Bad Gastein
Alpentherme Hit
- from 2 nights on
- 2 x all-day tickets to the Alpentherme Bad Hofgastein
- 1 glass of Prosecco with flavor in the restaurant (for adults only)
Accommodation and arrival
Find suitable accommodation
Arrival in the Gastein Valley
Film festival meets mountain summer
Events & experiences around the CALL Film Festival
In Gastein, it's the interplay that inspires: impressive nature, soothing tranquillity and stimulating events.
Hike through the mountains of the Hohe Tauern during the day, relax in the thermal spa or enjoy the clear Alpine air - and experience international films, premieres and talks in the evening: The CALL Film Festival combines cinema with a vacation experience that can only be found in Gastein .
Conclusion
A visit to the CALL Film Festival in Gastein is more than just a cultural event: nestled in the mountains of the Hohe Tauern, the festival is combined with hikes, nature experiences and relaxing hours in the thermal spa to create a varied mountain summer vacation.
FAQs
When does the CALL Film Festival take place?
From May 28 to 31, 2026.
Where is the festival being held?
In Bad Hofgastein in the Gastein Valley (Salzburg, Austria).
What does "Movies with a Cause" mean?
Films with a social, ecological or human message.
What are the main topics?
The two central program focuses are "CALL for Nature" and "CALL for Peace".
Which personalities will be at the festival?
Numerous international guests can be experienced live in Bad Hofgastein at the CALL Film Festival - including, among others:
- Parov Stelar,
- Reinhold Messner,
- Kim Cattrall,
- the Scorpions
- and director Oliver Hirschbiegel.
Many of them can be experienced in person in talks, master classes and Q&A sessions.
Can the festival be combined with a vacation?
Yes - the CALL Film Festival can be ideally combined with a stay in the mountains: Hiking, thermal baths and nature experiences can be perfectly combined with the festival program.
What is a Cinema Ambassador?
Cinema Ambassadors are selected personalities from film, art, culture and society who actively participate in the festival : they present a film that has had a personal impact on them and then enter into a dialog with the audience about its meaning and message.
What highlights does the festival offer?
Highlights include the Reinhold Messner retrospective, top-class international guests, master classes and talks, the Cinema Ambassador Awards and special film screenings - including open-air screenings and premieres. These include a cinematic premiere by Parov Stelar and the big open-air screening of the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael".
Are there also public events without a ticket?
Yes, including open-air film screenings with free admission.
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